Nickel-cobalt-manganese complex hydroxide particles and method for producing same, positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and method for producing same, and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery

ABSTRACT

An object of the present invention is to provide nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles having a small particle diameter and a uniform particle size distribution, and a method for producing the same. 
     [Solution] 
     A method for producing a nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide by a crystallization reaction is provided. The method includes: a nucleation step of performing nucleation by controlling a pH of an aqueous solution for nucleation including metal compounds containing nickel, cobalt and manganese, and an ammonium ion donor to 12.0 to 14.0 in terms of the pH as measured at a liquid temperature of 25° C. as a standard; and a particle growth step of growing nuclei by controlling a pH of an aqueous solution for particle growth containing nuclei formed in the nucleation step to 10.5 to 12.0 in terms of the pH as measured at a liquid temperature of 25° C. as a standard.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.13/513,244, filed Jun. 28, 2012, which is a 371 application ofInternational Application No. PCT/JP2010/007035, filed Dec. 2, 2010,which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-274518,filed Dec. 2, 2009, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to nickel cobalt manganese compositehydroxide particles and a method for producing the same, a cathodeactive material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and amethod for producing the same, and a nonaqueous electrolyte secondarybattery.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, along with the spread of mobile electronic devices suchas mobile phones and notebook-sized personal computers, development ofsmaller and lighter nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries having ahigh energy density has been strongly demanded.

Development of high-power secondary batteries as batteries for electricautomobiles typified by hybrid automobiles has also been stronglydemanded.

The secondary batteries that meet such demands are exemplified bylithium ion secondary batteries. Lithium ion secondary batteries includea negative electrode, a positive electrode, an electrolytic solution andthe like, in which a material into and from which lithium can beinserted and desorbed has been used as an active material for thenegative and positive electrodes.

Research and development of the lithium ion secondary batteries havebeen extensively carried out at present, and in particular, lithium ionsecondary batteries in which a layer or spinel type lithium metalcomposite oxide is used as a positive electrode material can give avoltage as high as 4 V; therefore, practical applications thereof asbatteries having a high energy density have been accelerated.

As positive electrode materials for use in such lithium ion secondarybatteries, lithium cobalt composite oxide (LiCoO₂) that can berelatively easily synthesized, lithium nickel composite oxide (LiNiO₂)in which nickel less expensive than cobalt is used, lithium nickelcobalt manganese composite oxide (LiNi_(1/3)Co_(1/3)O₂), lithiummanganese composite oxide (LiMn₂O₄) in which manganese is used, and thelike have been hitherto proposed. Among these, lithium nickel cobaltmanganese composite oxide has been receiving attention as a material inwhich excellent cycle characteristics can be achieved and high power canbe obtained with a low resistance, when being used as a positiveelectrode.

As requirements for achieving the above favorable performances ofpositive electrodes (excellent cycle characteristics, low resistance andhigh power), positive electrode materials are required to includeparticles having a uniform and appropriate particle diameter.

The grounds for such requirements are that use of a material having alarge particle diameter and a small specific surface area leads tofailure in reserving a sufficient area for reaction with theelectrolytic solution, thereby resulting in an increase of the reactionresistance and failure in obtaining a battery having high power, andthat use of a material having a broad particle size distribution leadsto reduction of the battery capacity, thereby resulting in defects suchas an increase of the reaction resistance. The battery capacity isreduced because the voltage applied to the particles in the electrodebecomes ununiform, so that fine particles selectively deteriorate due torepetition of charge and discharge.

Therefore, it is necessary to produce particles so as to have anappropriate and uniform particle diameter also in the case of theaforementioned lithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide in orderto improve performances of the positive electrode material.

Since lithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxides are generallyproduced from a composite hydroxide, it is necessary to use one having asmall and uniform particle diameter as a composite hydroxide employed asa raw material thereof in order to obtain particles having anappropriate and uniform particle diameter.

That is, for improving performances of the positive electrode materialto produce a final product, or a lithium ion secondary battery havinghigh performances, it is necessary to use a composite hydroxideincluding particles having a small particle diameter and a narrowparticle size distribution, as the composite hydroxide employed as a rawmaterial of the lithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide forforming the positive electrode material.

Concerning a method for producing a composite hydroxide, variousproposals have been made up to the present (Patent Literatures 1 to 3).

Patent Literature 1, for example, discloses that a nickel cobaltmanganese composite hydroxide is precipitated by continuously orintermittently applying an aqueous solution of nickel-cobalt-manganesesalt, an aqueous solution of an alkaline metal hydroxide and an ammoniumion donor to a reaction system, adjusting a temperature of the reactionsystem to an almost constant value within a range of 30° C. to 70° C.,and making the reaction proceed with its pH maintaining at an almostconstant value within a range of 10 to 13. Patent Literature 1 alsodiscloses that an intermediate having a preferable particle sizedistribution can be obtained by a multi-stage reaction than a one-stagereaction, and a part of produced particles may be returned to a reactionvessel for controlling a property of the produced particles.

Patent Literature 2 discloses a method for producing a cathode activematerial for a lithium secondary battery, in whichlithium-coprecipitated composite metal salt with its particles having aapproximately spherical shape is synthesized by continuously supplyingto a reaction vessel an aqueous solution of composite metal salt withthe salt concentration adjusted by dissolving the salt of eachstructural element of the substance described above in water, a watersoluble complexing agent that forms metal ions and complex salt, and anaqueous lithium hydroxide solution and generating composite metalcomplex salt; then decomposing the complex salt by the lithium hydroxideto cause the lithium-coprecipitated composite metal salt to beprecipitated; and repeating the generation and decomposition of thecomplex salt while circulating in the vessel to obtain thelithium-coprecipitated composite metal salt by overflowing the same. Thecathode active material obtained by this method using composite metalsalt as a raw material reportedly has a high filling density, a uniformcomposition and a nearly spherical shape.

Patent Literature 3 proposes a method for producing a cathode activematerial for a nonaqueous electrolyte batteries, in which an oxide or ahydroxide as a precursor is obtained by simultaneously introducing intoa reaction vessel an alkali solution with an aqueous solution containingat least two kinds of transition metal salt or at least two kinds ofaqueous solutions of each different transition metal salt, and thenperforming coprecipitation while allowing a reducing agent to coexist oran inert gas to flow. This method itself is not for controlling aparticle diameter but for preventing an imperfect solid solubility at anatomic level. An apparatus for obtaining a hydroxide or an oxide havinga spherical shape, a high density and a large particle diameter,however, is disclosed therein.

The apparatus employs a system described below. A mixture of an aqueoussolution is caused to flow from bottom to top, so that crystal particleswhose specific gravity increases because of growth of their crystals tosome extent settle out to reach a collecting portion at the bottom. Onthe other hand, ungrown crystal particles do not reach the bottombecause they are pushed back by a force of the solution flowing from thebottom. That is, the apparatus is for obtaining crystal particles havinga large particle diameter by classifying and collecting the generatedcrystals.

However, Patent Literature 1 does not disclose a specific method forcontrolling the particle size distribution or a property of the producedparticles, but merely discloses that the composite hydroxide wasobtained at a constant temperature and pH in Examples.

Patent Literature 2 discloses a continuous crystallization method inwhich the product is obtained by overflowing. The particle sizedistribution is therefore likely to be spread to provide a normaldistribution, and thus to obtain particles having an almost uniformparticle diameter is difficult.

Further, Patent Literature 3 discloses the technique for obtainingcrystal particles having a large particle diameter by classifying andobtaining generated crystals. It is however considered that theproduction conditions need to be strictly controlled in order to obtaina product having a uniform particle diameter, leading to difficulty inproduction in an industrial scale.

As described above, although various methods for producing a compositehydroxide have been studied, a method capable of producing, in anindustrial scale, a composite hydroxide having a small particle diameterwith high uniformity thereof has not been developed at present. In orderto improve performances of lithium secondary batteries, a method forproducing such a composite hydroxide has been demanded.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: International Publication WO2004/092073

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-214624

Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-86182

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is toprovide nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles having asmall particle diameter with high uniformity thereof, and a method whichenables such nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles to beproduced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cathode activematerial for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery capable ofreducing a value of a positive electrode resistance measured when usedin a battery, and a method for producing the same.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a nonaqueouselectrolyte secondary battery that can achieve excellent cyclecharacteristics and high power.

Solution to Problem (Method for Producing Nickel Cobalt ManganeseComposite Hydroxide Particles)

A method for producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles according to a first feature of the present invention is amethod for producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles represented by a general formula:Ni_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(z)M_(t)(OH)_(2+α), where 0.3≦x≦0.7, 0.1≦y≦0.4,0.1≦z≦0.5, 0≦t≦0.02, x+y+z+t=1, 0≦α0.5, and M is at least one additionalelement selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Al, Mg, Zr, Nb,Mo, Hf, Ta and W, employing a crystallization reaction. The methodincludes: a nucleation step of performing nucleation by controlling a pHof an aqueous solution for nucleation containing a metal compound havingnickel, cobalt and manganese, and an amnonium ion donor to 12.0 to 14.0in terms of the pH as measured at a liquid temperature of 25° C. as astandard; and a particle growth step of growing nuclei by controlling apH of an aqueous solution for particle growth containing nuclei formedin the nucleation step to 10.5 to 12.0 in terms of the pH as measured ata liquid temperature of 25° C. as a standard.

A method for producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles according to a second feature of the present invention is thefirst feature of the present invention, wherein the aqueous solution forparticle growth is formed by adjusting a pH of the aqueous solution fornucleation after completing the nucleation step.

A method for producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles according to a third feature of the present invention is thefirst feature of the present invention, wherein the aqueous solution forparticle growth is prepared by adding the aqueous solution containingthe nuclei formed in the nucleation step to an aqueous solution distinctfrom the aqueous solution for nucleation in which the nuclei have beenformed.

A method for producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles according to a fourth feature of the present invention is thefirst, second or third feature of the present invention, wherein theparticle growth step is performed after discharging a part of a liquidportion of the aqueous solution for particle growth after the nucleationstep.

A method for producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles according to a fifth feature of the present invention is anyone of the first to fourth features of the present invention, wherein atemperature of each aqueous solution is maintained at 20° C. or more inthe nucleation step and the particle growth step.

A method for producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles according to a sixth feature of the present invention is anyone of the first to fifth features of the present invention, wherein anammonia concentration of each aqueous solution is maintained within arange of 3 to 25 g/l in the nucleation step and the particle growthstep.

A method for producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles according to a seventh feature of the present invention is anyone of the first to sixth features of the present invention, wherein anickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide obtained in the particlegrowth step is covered with a compound including at least one of theadditional elements.

(Nickel Cobalt Manganese Composite Hydroxide Particles)

Nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles according to aneighth feature of the present invention are nickel cobalt manganesecomposite hydroxide particles represented by a general formula:Ni_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(z)M_(t) (OH)_(2+α), where 0.3≦x≦0.7, 0.1≦y≦0.4,0.1≦z≦0.5, 0≦t≦0.02, x+y+z+t=1, 0≦α≦0.5, and M is at least oneadditional element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Al,Mg, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W. The nickel cobalt manganese compositehydroxide particles are spherical secondary particles formed byaggregation in a random direction of a plurality of platelike primaryparticles having an average thickness of 10 to 300 nm and an averagelength of 100 to 3000 nm.

Nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles according to aninth feature of the present invention are the eighth feature of thepresent invention, wherein the secondary particles have an averageparticle diameter of 3 to 7 μm, and a value represented by an expressionof: [(d90−d10)/average particle diameter] as a marker indicatingspreading of a particle size distribution of 0.55 or less.

Nickel cobalt manganese canomposite hydroxide particles according to atenth feature of the present invention are the eighth or ninth featureof the present invention, wherein at least one of the additionalelements are uniformly distributed inside the secondary particles and/orsurfaces thereof are uniformly covered with at least one of theadditional elements.

Nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles according to aneleventh feature of the present invention are the eighth, ninth or tenthfeature of the present invention, wherein the nickel cobalt manganesecomposite hydroxide particles are produced by the production methodaccording to any one of the first to seventh features of the presentinvention.

(Method for Producing Cathode Active Material for Nonaqueous ElectrolyteSecondary Battery)

A method for producing a cathode active material for a nonaqueouselectrolyte secondary battery according to a twelfth feature of thepresent invention is a method for producing a cathode active materialrepresented by a general formula: Li_(1+u)Ni_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(z)M_(t)O₂,where −0.05≦u≦0.20, x+y+z+t=1, 0.3≦x≦0.7, 0.1≦y≦0.4, 0.1≦z≦0.4,0≦t≦0.02, and M is at least one additional element selected from thegroup consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Al, Mg, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W, thecathode active material including a lithium nickel cobalt manganesecomposite oxide of a composite oxide containing lithium with a layerstructure belonged in a hexagonal crystal system. The method include: astep of subjecting the nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles according to any one of the eighth to eleventh features of thepresent invention to a heat treatment; a mixing step of forming amixture by mixing a lithium compound with particles after the heattreatment, and adjusting a ratio of a sum of the numbers of atoms ofmetals other than lithium to the number of atoms of lithium included inthe mixture to 1:0.95 to 1.20; and a firing step of firing the mixtureformed in the mixing step at a temperature of 800° C. to 1000° C.

A method for producing a cathode active material for a nonaqueouselectrolyte secondary battery according to a thirteenth feature of theinvention is the twelfth feature of the present invention, whereincalcination is performed at a temperature of 350° C. to 800° C. beforethe firing step.

(Cathode Active Material for Nonaqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery)

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteryaccording to a fourteenth feature of the present invention is a cathodeactive material represented by a general formula:Li_(1+u)Ni_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(z)M_(t)O₂, where −0.05≦u≦0.20, x+y+z+t=1,0.3≦x≦0.7, 0.1≦y≦0.4, 0.1≦z≦0.4, 0≦t≦0.02, and M is at least oneadditional element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Al,Mg, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W, the cathode active material including alithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide of a composite oxidecontaining lithium with a layer structure belonged in hexagonal crystalsystem, and having an average particle diameter of 2 to 8 μm and a valuerepresented by an expression of: [(d90−d10)/average particle diameter]as a marker indicating spreading of a particle size distribution of 0.60or less.

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteryaccording to a fifteenth feature of the present invention is thefourteenth feature of the present invention, wherein the cathode activematerial for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is produced bythe production method according to the twelfth or thirteenth feature ofthe present invention.

(Nonaqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery)

A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to a sixteenthfeature of the present invention has a positive electrode formed withthe cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondarybattery according to the fourteenth or fifteenth feature of the presentinvention.

Advantageous Effects of Invention (Method for Producing Nickel CobaltManganese Composite Hydroxide Particles)

According to the first feature of the present invention, growth of thenuclei is suppressed and thus substantially only the nucleation can becaused in the nucleation step by adjusting the pH of the aqueoussolution for nucleation to 12.0 to 14.0. Further, in the particle growthstep, only nuclear growth is preferentially caused by adjusting the pHof the aqueous solution for particle growth to 10.5 to 12.0, wherebyformation of additional nuclei can be suppressed. Accordingly, as thenuclei can be uniformly grown, uniform nickel cobalt manganese compositehydroxide particles having a narrow range of the particle sizedistribution can be obtained.

According to the second feature of the present invention, the aqueoussolution for particle growth is prepared by adjusting the pH of theaqueous solution for nucleation after completing the nucleation step;therefore, transfer to the particle growth step can be rapidly executed.

According to the third feature of the present invention, the nucleationand the particle growth can be performed in a more clearly separatedmanner; therefore, the liquid state in each step can be brought intooptimal conditions for each step. Thus, the produced nickel cobaltmanganese composite hydroxide particles can have a narrower range of theparticle size distribution and can be more uniform.

According to the fourth feature of the present invention, aconcentration of the nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles in the aqueous solution for nucleation can be increased, andthe particles can be grown in the state of a high concentration of theparticles. Thus, particle size distribution of the particles can befurther narrowed, and particle density can also be increased.

According to the fifth feature of the present invention, control of thenuclear generation can be facilitated, whereby the nuclei suitable forproducing uniform nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particleshaving a narrow range of particle size distribution can be formed.

According to the sixth feature of the present invention, since thesolubility of the metal ions can be adjusted to fall within apredetermined range, particles having regulated shapes and particlediameters can be formed, and the particle size distribution can also benarrowed.

According to the seventh feature of the present invention, durabilityand output characteristics of a battery can be improved when the cathodeactive material for a battery which has been formed using the nickelcobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles produced according to themethod of the present invention as a raw material is used in thebattery.

(Nickel Cobalt Manganese Composite Hydroxide Particles)

According to the eighth feature of the present invention, when thenickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles are mixed with alithium compound and fired, lithium can be sufficiently diffused in theparticles, whereby a favorable cathode active material having uniformdistribution of lithium can be obtained. Additionally, when a batteryhaving a positive electrode including the cathode active material isformed, an electrode resistance can be reduced, and deterioration of theelectrode can be inhibited even though charge and discharge arerepeated.

According to the ninth feature of the present invention, when a cathodeactive material is produced by using the nickel cobalt manganesecomposite hydroxide particles as a raw material, the cathode activematerial can also have uniform particles with a narrow range of theparticle size distribution. When a battery having a positive electrodeincluding the cathode active material is formed, an electrode resistancecan be reduced, and deterioration of the electrode can be inhibited eventhough charge and discharge are repeated.

According to the tenth feature of the present invention, durability andoutput characteristics of a battery can be improved when the cathodeactive material for a battery which has been formed using the nickelcobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles of the present inventionas a raw material is used in the battery.

According to the eleventh feature of the present invention, sinceuniform nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles having anarrow range of the particle size distribution can be provided, when acathode active material is produced using the particles as a rawmaterial, the cathode active material can also have uniform particleshaving a narrow range of the particle size distribution. Thus, when abattery having a positive electrode including the cathode activematerial is formed, an electrode resistance can be reduced, anddeterioration of the electrode can be inhibited even though charge anddischarge are repeated.

(Method for Producing Cathode Active Material for Nonaqueous ElectrolyteSecondary Battery)

According to the twelfth feature of the present invention, residualmoisture of the nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particlescan be removed by the heat treatment, and thus variation of the ratio ofthe sum of the numbers of atoms of metals to the number of atoms oflithium in the produced lithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxidecan be prevented. Moreover, since firing is performed at the temperatureof 800° C. to 1000° C., lithium can be sufficiently diffused in theparticles, and the spherical particle shape can be maintained.Therefore, when a battery having a positive electrode formed with thusproduced cathode active material is produced, a battery capacity can beincreased, and a value of the positive electrode resistance can also bereduced.

According to the thirteenth feature of the present invention, a uniformlithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide can be obtained sincelithium can be sufficiently diffused.

(Cathode Active Material for Nonaqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery)

According to the fourteenth feature of the present invention, highoutput characteristics and a high capacity of a battery can be realized.

According to the fifteenth feature of the present invention, when anelectrode including the cathode active material formed with the lithiumnickel cobalt manganese composite oxide is used in a battery, a value ofthe positive electrode resistance to be measured can be reduced andexcellent output characteristics of the battery can be achieved.

(Nonaqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery)

According to the sixteenth feature of the present invention, a batteryhaving an initial discharge capacity of as high as 150 mAh/g or more,and a low positive electrode resistance can be provided, and thermalstability and safety can also be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic flow chart illustrating steps of producing anickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic flow chart illustrating other steps of producingthe nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart illustrating steps of producing alithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide from the nickel cobaltmanganese composite hydroxide of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart illustrating steps from production ofthe nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide of the present inventionuntil production of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.

FIG. 5 is a table showing results of Examples and Comparative Examples.

FIG. 6 shows SEM photographs (magnification of observation: ×1,000,×10,000) of the nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 shows an SEM photograph (magnification of observation: ×1,000) ofthe lithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 shows an example of measurement for evaluation of an impedanceand an equivalent circuit used in analysis.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to: (1) a nonaqueous electrolyte secondarybattery; (2) a cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolytesecondary battery used in a positive electrode of the nonaqueouselectrolyte secondary battery (1), and a method for producing the same;(3) nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles employed as araw material of the cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolytesecondary battery (2), and a method for producing the same.

In order to improve performances of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondarybattery (1), it is necessary to use an electrode in which the cathodeactive material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery (2) withexcellent battery characteristics is employed. In order to obtain such acathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery(2) with excellent battery characteristics, a particle diameter and aparticle size distribution thereof are important factors, and a cathodeactive material having a desired particle diameter and being adjusted tohave a desired particle size distribution is preferred. In order toobtain such a cathode active material, it is necessary to use the nickelcobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles (3), which are employedas the raw material thereof, having a desired particle diameter and adesired particle size distribution.

The present invention relates to, as described above, a method capableof producing the nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles(3), which affect the performances of the nonaqueous electrolytesecondary battery (1) of a final product, as uniform particles having anarrow range of the particle size distribution; and the nickel cobaltmanganese composite hydroxide particles (3) produced according to thismethod.

Additionally, a method for producing the cathode active material for anonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery (2) having a desired particlediameter and adjusted to have a desired particle size distribution usingas a raw material the uniform nickel cobalt manganese compositehydroxide particles (3) having a narrow range of the particle sizedistribution produced by the aforementioned method, and the cathodeactive material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery (2)produced by this method are also provided according to the presentinvention.

Furthermore, the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery (1) having apositive electrode including the cathode active material for anonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery (2) that is produced by themethod of the present invention, and that has a desired particlediameter and is adjusted to have a desired particle size distribution isalso provided according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, the foregoing features in the present invention (1) to (3)are described in detail. However, before describing the method forproducing the nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles (3)and the nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles (3), whichexhibit the most characteristic features of the present invention, thenonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery (1) of a final product, themethod for producing the cathode active material for a nonaqueouselectrolyte secondary battery (2) using the nickel cobalt manganesecomposite hydroxide particles (3) as a raw material, and the cathodeactive material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery (2) aredescribed.

(1) Nonaqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery

The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present inventionemploys a positive electrode including the cathode active material for anonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery (2) described later, as shownin FIG. 4.

Since such a positive electrode is employed, a battery having an initialdischarge capacity of as high as 150 mAh/g or more and a low positiveelectrode resistance is provided, and an effect of enabling high thermalstability and safety is exerted.

A structure of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of thepresent invention is first described.

The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention(hereinafter, merely referred to as the secondary battery of the presentinvention) has a structure substantially the same as the structure ofgeneral nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries except that thecathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteryaccording to the present invention (hereinafter, merely referred to asthe cathode active material of the present invention) is used for amaterial of the positive electrode.

Specifically, the secondary battery of the present invention has astructure provided with a case, and a positive electrode, a negativeelectrode, a nonaqueous electrolytic solution and a separator enclosedin the case. More specifically, the secondary battery of the presentinvention is formed by: laminating the positive electrode and thenegative electrode via the separator to form an electrode assembly;impregnating thus obtained electrode assembly with a nonaqueouselectrolytic solution; connecting between a positive electrode collectorof the positive electrode and a positive electrode terminalcommunicating with the exterior, and between a negative electrodecollector of the negative electrode and a negative electrode terminalcommunicating with the exterior using leads for power collection or thelike; and sealing the case.

It should be noted that the structure of the secondary battery of thepresent invention is not limited to the above example as a matter ofcourse, and various forms may be employed for the external configurationsuch as a cartridge, stacked form or the like.

(Structure of Each Part)

Next, each part of the secondary battery of the present invention isdescribed.

(Positive Electrode)

The positive electrode exhibiting a characteristic feature of thesecondary battery of the present invention is first described.

The positive electrode is a sheet-shaped member and formed by coating,for example, a surface of a collector made of aluminum foil with apositive electrode mixture paste containing the cathode active materialof the present invention, followed by drying.

The positive electrode is appropriately subjected to a treatmentdepending on a battery to be used. For example, following treatments maybe performed such as a cutting treatment for formation so as to have anappropriate size depending on a size of the intended battery, and acompression treatment by roll pressing or the like for increasingelectrode density.

(Positive Electrode Mixture Paste)

The positive electrode mixture paste is prepared by adding a solvent toa positive electrode mixture, followed by kneading.

The positive electrode mixture is prepared by mixing the cathode activematerial of the present invention in a powdery form with a conductivematerial and a binder.

The conductive material is added for imparting an adequate electricconductivity to the electrode. Although this conductive material is notparticularly limited, examples of the conductive material includegraphite (natural graphite, artificial graphite and expanded graphite,etc.), or carbon black based material such as acetylene black or Ketjenblack.

The binder plays a role in binding the cathode active materialparticles. Although the binder for use in the positive electrode mixtureis not particularly limited, examples of the binder includepolyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), afluorine rubber, an ethylene-propylenediene rubber, styrene-butadienerubber, a cellulose based resin and polyacrylic acid.

An activated charcoal or the like may be added to the positive electrodemixture. By adding an activated charcoal or the like, electric doublelayer capacity of the positive electrode can be increased.

The solvent dissolves the binder to cause the cathode active material,the conductive material, the activated charcoal and the like to dispersein the binder. Although this solvent is not particularly limited, anexample of the solvent includes an organic solvent such asN-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.

Moreover, a mixing ratio of each substance in the positive electrodemixture paste is not particularly limited. For example, provided that asolid content of the positive electrode mixture excluding the solvent is100 parts by mass, a content of the cathode active material may be 60 to98 parts by mass, a content of the conductive material may be 1 to 20parts by mass, and a content of the binder may be 1 to 20 parts by mass,similarly to positive electrodes of general nonaqueous electrolytesecondary batteries.

(Negative Electrode)

The negative electrode is a sheet-shaped member formed by coating asurface of a metal foil collector such as copper with a negativeelectrode mixture paste, followed by drying. Although components of thenegative electrode mixture paste and a combination thereof, a materialof the collector and the like are different from those of the positiveelectrode, this negative electrode is formed by a substantially similarmanner to the positive electrode described above, and subjected tovarious types of treatments as needed also similarly thereto.

The negative electrode mixture paste is prepared in a paste form byadding a suitable solvent to a negative electrode mixture prepared bymixing an anode active material and a binder.

As the anode active material, for example, a substance containinglithium such as metal lithium or a lithium alloy, or an absorptionsubstance in and from which lithium ions are absorbed and desorbed maybe employed.

Although the absorption substance is not particularly limited, examplesof the absorption substance include natural graphite, artificialgraphite, fired products of an organic compound such as a phenol resin,and powdery matter of a carbon substance such as coke. When such anabsorption substance is employed in the anode active material, afluorocarbon-containing resin such as PVDF may be used as a binder andan organic solvent such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone may be used as thesolvent for dispersing the anode active material in the binder,similarly to the positive electrode.

(Separator)

A separator is disposed to be sandwiched between the positive electrodeand the negative electrode, thereby separating the positive electrodefrom the negative electrode, and has a function to retain theelectrolyte. As such a separator, a thin membrane of, for example,polyethylene or polypropylene having a large number of very fine poresmay be used; however, not particularly limited thereto as long as it hasthe aforementioned function.

(Nonaqueous Electrolytic Solution)

The nonaqueous electrolytic solution is prepared by dissolving lithiumsalt as supporting salt in an organic solvent.

Examples of the organic solvent include cyclic carbonates such asethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate andtrifluoropropylene carbonate; chain carbonates such as diethylcarbonate, dimethyl carbonate, ethylmethyl carbonate and dipropylcarbonate; ether compounds such as tetrahydrofuran,2-methyltetrahydrofuran and dimethoxyethane; sulfur compounds such asethylmethylsulfone and butanesulfone; and phosphorus compounds such astriethyl phosphate and trioctyl phosphate. One alone, or at least two asa mixture selected from these may be used.

Examples of supporting salt include LiPF₆, LiBF₄, LiClO₄, LiAsF₆, LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂, and composite salts thereof.

Still more, the nonaqueous electrolytic solution may contain a radicalscavenger, a surfactant and a fire retardant and the like for improvingbattery characteristics.

(Characteristics of Secondary Battery of the Present Invention)

Since the secondary battery of the present invention has the aboveconfiguration and the above positive electrode is used therein, a highinitial discharge capacity of 150 mAh/g or more and a low positiveelectrode resistance are attained, whereby a high capacity and highpower are achieved. Also, in comparison with conventional cathode activematerials of lithium cobalt oxide or lithium nickel oxide, the secondarybattery of the present invention has excellent thermal stability andsafety.

(Application of Secondary Battery of the Present Invention)

The secondary battery of the present invention is suitable for electricpower supplies for small size mobile electronic devices whichconsistently require a high capacity (notebook-sized personal computers,mobile phone terminals, etc.), because of the aforementioned properties.

The secondary battery of the present invention is also suitable forbatteries for electric automobiles which require high power. When abattery for electric automobiles has a larger size, securing the safetymay be difficult and providing an expensive protective circuit isessential. However, the secondary battery of the present invention notonly facilitates securing of the safety but simplifies an expensiveprotective circuit to enable the cost to be reduced because the batteryhas excellent safety without increasing the size. Additionally, sincesize reduction and increase of the output are possible, the presentbattery is suitable for electric power supplies for electric automobileshaving limited mounting space.

The secondary battery of the present invention can be used not only asan electric power supply for electric automobiles exclusively driven byelectric energy, but also as an electric power supply for so-calledhybrid automobiles in which a combustion engine such as a gasolineengine or diesel engine is used in combination.

(2) Cathode Active Material for Nonaqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery

The cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondarybattery according to the present invention (hereinafter, referred to asthe cathode active material of the present invention) is suitable for amaterial for positive electrodes of nonaqueous electrolyte secondarybatteries as described above.

The cathode active material of the present invention is a cathode activematerial represented by a general formula:Li_(1+u)Ni_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(z)M_(t)O₂, where −0.05≦u≦0.20, x+y+z+t=1,0.3≦x≦0.7, 0.1≦y≦0.4, 0.1≦z≦0.4, 0≦t≦0.02, and M is at least oneadditional element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Al,Mg, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W, and including a lithium nickel cobaltmanganese composite oxide. The cathode active material has particleswith a layer structure belonged in hexagonal crystal system in which avalue represented by the expression of: [(d90−d10)/average particlediameter] as a marker indicating spreading of a particle sizedistribution of the particles is 0.60 or less, and is adjusted to havean average particle diameter of 2 to 8 μm.

Considering electrical characteristics and thermal stability, an atomicratio of nickel, cobalt and manganese is preferably 0.3≦x≦0.4,0.3≦y≦0.4, 0.3≦z≦0.4.

The proportion of lithium falls within the above range in the generalformula. This is because when the proportion of lithium is below theabove range, the reaction resistance of the positive electrode in thenonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery with the obtained cathodeactive material becomes so large that the battery output is reduced,whereas when the proportion of lithium is beyond the above range, theinitial discharge capacity of the cathode active material is reducedwith increase in the reaction resistance of the positive electrode.

Since the above additional element is added to the cathode activematerial of the present invention, durability and output characteristicsof a battery can be improved when used as a cathode active material ofthe battery. In particular, when the additional element is adjusted soas to be uniformly distributed on the surfaces or inside of theparticles, the aforementioned effect can be achieved by the particles intheir entirety. Thus, the effect can be achieved by the addition in asmall amount, leading to an advantage capable of inhibiting thereduction of the capacity. The atomic ratio t of the additional elementwith respect to all the atoms is 0.02 or less. This is because when theatomic ratio t exceeds 0.02, the battery capacity is unpreferablyreduced due to the less amount of metal elements that are responsiblefor a Redox reaction.

(Particle Size Distribution)

Concerning the cathode active material of the present invention, thevalue represented by the expression of: [(d90−d10)/average particlediameter] as a marker indicating spreading of the particle sizedistribution is adjusted to 0.6 or less, as described above.

The particle size distribution falling within a broad range suggeststhat fine particles having a very small particle diameter with respectto the average particle diameter, and particles having a very largeparticle diameter with respect to the average particle diameter(large-diameter particle) are present in a large number in the cathodeactive material. When a positive electrode is formed using a cathodeactive material including a large number of the fine particles, there isa possibility of heat generation resulting from a local reaction of thefine particles, whereby the safety is reduced and the fine particlesselectively deteriorate, thus leading to inferior cycle characteristics.On the other hand, when a positive electrode is formed using a cathodeactive material including a large number of the large-diameterparticles, an area for reaction between the electrolytic solution andthe cathode active material may not be provided sufficiently to reducethe battery output due to increase in the reaction resistance.

Therefore, when the particle size distribution of the cathode activematerial is adjusted to have the aforementioned marker[(d90−d10)/average particle diameter] of 0.6 or less, the proportion ofthe fine particles and the large-diameter particles becomes so low thatexcellent safety, favorable cycle characteristics and battery output canbe achieved in the battery in which this cathode active material is usedfor the positive electrode.

It is to be noted that in the value represented by the expression of[(d90−d10)/average particle diameter] as a marker indicating spreadingof the particle size distribution, when the numbers of particles of eachparticle diameter are accumulated from those of the smaller particlediameter, “d10” means a particle diameter in which an accumulated volumethereof accounts for 10% of the total volume of all the particles.Further, when the numbers of particles of each particle diameter areaccumulated from those of the smaller particle diameter, “d90” means aparticle diameter in which the accumulated volume thereof accounts for90% of the total volume of all the particles.

Although methods for determining the average particle diameter, the“d90” and the “d10” are not particularly limited, for example, they maybe determined from volume-integrated values measured with a laserdiffraction scattering type particle size analyzer.

(Average Particle Diameter)

The cathode active material of the present invention is preferablyadjusted to have the aforementioned particle size distribution and anaverage particle diameter of 2 to 8 μm. The reason for this preferredrange is that: when the average particle diameter is less than 2 μm,packing density of the particles is reduced upon formation of thepositive electrode to result in reduction of the battery capacity pervolume of the positive electrode, whereas when the average particlediameter exceeds 8 μm, the specific surface area of the cathode activematerial is reduced to result in reduction of the interface with theelectrolytic solution of the battery, whereby the resistance of thepositive electrode is increased resulting in deterioration of the outputcharacteristics of the battery.

Therefore, when the cathode active material of the present invention isadjusted to have the aforementioned particle size distribution and anaverage particle diameter thereof of 2 to 8 μm, preferably 3 to 8 μm,more preferably 3.5 to 6 μm, a battery in which this cathode activematerial is used for the positive electrode can have a larger batterycapacity per volume, and excellent battery characteristics such asexcellent safety, high power and the like are achieved.

(Method for Producing Cathode Active Material for Nonaqueous ElectrolyteSecondary Battery)

The method for producing the cathode active material of the presentinvention is not particularly limited as long as a cathode activematerial can be produced so as to give the aforementioned crystalstructure, average particle diameter, particle size distribution andcomposition. However, to employ the following method is preferredbecause the cathode active material of the present invention can beproduced more certainly.

The method for producing the cathode active material of the presentinvention includes, as shown in FIG. 3, a) a step of subjecting thenickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles used as a rawmaterial of the cathode active material of the present invention to aheat treatment; b) a mixing step of forming a lithium mixture by mixinga lithium compound with the particles after the heat treatment; and c) afiring step of firing the mixture formed in the mixing step. Thereafter,lithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide particles, that is, thecathode active material of the present invention can be obtained bydisintegrating a fired product.

The disintegration refers to an operation of applying mechanical energyto aggregates of a plurality of secondary particles generated by sinternecking or the like among the secondary particles during the firing,thereby decomposing the secondary particles to loosen the aggregatesalmost without breaking the secondary particles.

Hereinafter, each step is described.

a) Heat Treatment Step

The heat treatment step is a step of subjecting the nickel cobaltmanganese composite hydroxide particles (hereinafter, merely referred toas composite hydroxide particles) to a heat treatment by heating toremove the moisture contained in the composite hydroxide particles. Byperforming this heat treatment step, the residual moisture in theparticles until the firing step can be reduced. In other words, sincethe composite hydroxide particles can be converted into composite oxideparticles, variation of the ratio of the number of atoms of metals andthe ratio of the number of atoms of lithium in the cathode activematerial to be produced can be prevented.

It is to be noted that not all the composite hydroxide particles arenecessarily converted into the composite oxide particles because removalof the moisture to the extent that variation of the ratio of the numberof atoms of the metals and the ratio of the number of atoms of lithiumin the cathode active material does not occur is acceptable.

In the heat treatment step, the composite hydroxide particles may beheated up to a temperature at which the residual moisture is removed,and the heat treatment temperature is not particularly limited. Forexample, when the composite hydroxide particles are heated to 105° C. ormore, the residual moisture can be removed. The temperature less than105° C. is not industrially adequate because a long time period isrequired for removing the residual moisture. An upper limit of thetemperature for the heat treatment is, for example, preferably 500° C.or less, more preferably 400° C. or less. This is because even thoughthe heat treatment is performed at a temperature of over 500° C., aninfluence is hardly exerted on characteristics and tendency of thecathode active material to be produced.

An atmosphere in which the heat treatment is performed is notparticularly limited, and the treatment is preferably performed in anairflow which can be simply adopted.

Additionally, the heat treatment time period is not particularlylimited, but is preferably at least 1 hour or longer, and morepreferably 5 to 15 hours because the time period shorter than 1 hour maylead to failure in sufficiently removing the residual moisture in thecomposite hydroxide particles.

Further, equipment used for the heat treatment is not particularlylimited, and any equipment enabling the composite hydroxide particles tobe heated in the airflow is acceptable. An air dryer or an electricfurnace not accompanied by gas generation may be suitably used.

b) Mixing Step

In the mixing step, the particles subjected to the heat treatment in theheat treatment step (hereinafter, referred to as heat treated particles)are mixed with a substance containing lithium, for example, a lithiumcompound, to obtain a lithium mixture.

The heat treated particles refer to nickel cobalt manganese compositehydroxide particles after removing the residual moisture in the heattreatment step, nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide particlesconverted into the oxide in the heat treatment step, or mixed particlesthereof.

The material containing the heat treated particles and lithium isobtained by performing mixing so that a ratio of the number of atoms oflithium (Li) to the numbers of atoms of metals other than lithium in thelithium mixture (namely, the sum of the numbers of atoms of nickel,cobalt, manganese and additional elements (Me)) (Li/Me) is 0.95 to 1.20.That is, the mixing is performed so that Li/Me in the lithium mixturebecomes the same as Li/Me in the cathode active material of the presentinvention. Since the Li/Me does not change before and after the firingstep described later, Li/Me mixed in this mixing step corresponds toLi/Me in the cathode active material.

Although the substance containing lithium used for forming the lithiummixture is not particularly limited, in the case of lithium compounds,for example, lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate, or a mixturethereof is preferred in view of favorable availability. In Particular,considering ease in handling and stability of the quality, lithiumcarbonate is more preferably used.

The lithium mixture is preferably mixed sufficiently before firing. Whenthe mixing is not sufficient, it is probable to cause problems such asvariation of Li/Me among individual particles and failure in achievingsufficient battery characteristics.

Further, a general mixer may be used for the mixing. Examples of a mixerinclude a shaker mixer, Loedige mixer, JULIA mixer, V blender. The mixermay be used to sufficiently mix the heat treated particles with thesubstance containing lithium to the extent that an external shape of thecomposite hydroxide particles and the like is not broken.

c) Firing Step

The firing step is a step of forming a lithium nickel cobalt manganesecomposite oxide by firing the lithium mixture obtained in the abovemixing step. When the lithium mixture is fired in the firing step,lithium in the substance containing lithium is diffused in the heattreated particles, whereby the lithium nickel cobalt manganese compositeoxide is formed.

(Firing Temperature)

The firing of the lithium mixture is preferably performed at 800 to1000° C., more preferably at 850 to 1000° C.

When the firing temperature is less than 800° C., lithium fails tosufficiently diffuse in the heat treated particles, and thus excessivelithium and unreacted particles remain, and/or the crystal structure isnot regulated satisfactorily, whereby a problem of failure in achievingsufficient battery characteristics is caused.

Additionally, when the firing temperature exceeds 1000° C., sinteringoccurs drastically among the heat treated particles, and there is apossibility of causing abnormal particle growth. Accordingly, coarseparticles may be formed after the firing, and there is a possibility offailure in maintaining the particle shape (shape of the sphericalsecondary particles described later). Thus, a problem of reducing thebattery capacity is caused because the specific surface area is reducedwith increase in the resistance of the positive electrode when thecathode active material is formed.

Therefore, the firing of the lithium mixture is preferably performed at800 to 1000° C., more preferably at 850 to 1000° C.

(Firing Time Period)

Moreover, the firing time period is preferably at least for 1 hour orlonger, more preferably 5 to 15 hours. When the firing time period isshorter than 1 hour, production of the lithium nickel cobalt manganesecomposite oxide may not be sufficient.

(Calcination)

When a lithium hydroxide, lithium carbonate or the like is particularlyused as the substance containing lithium, it is preferred to performcalcination at a temperature of 350 to 800° C. by keeping the substancefor about 1 to 10 hours before firing at the temperature of 800 to 1000°C. That is, the calcination is preferably performed at a melting pointor at a reaction temperature of the lithium hydroxide or the lithiumcarbonate. In this case, by keeping the substance at around the meltingpoint or at around the reaction temperature of the lithium hydroxide orthe lithium carbonate, diffusion of lithium in the heat treatedparticles can be sufficiently performed, and thus a uniform lithiumnickel cobalt manganese composite oxide can be obtained.

When, as described above, increase of the concentration of theadditional element M on the surfaces of the lithium nickel cobaltmanganese composite oxide particles is intended, the heat treatedparticles having their surfaces uniformly covered with the additionalelement may be used as a raw material. By firing the lithium mixturecontaining such composite oxide particles under appropriate conditions,the concentration of the additional element on the surfaces of thecomposite oxide particles can be increased. Specifically, when thelithium mixture containing the heat treated particles covered with theadditional element is fired at a lower firing temperature for a shorterfiring time period, lithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide canbe obtained with surfaces of particles thereof having a higherconcentration of the additional element M.

Additionally, even in the case where the lithium mixture containing theheat treated particles covered with the additional element is fired,lithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide particles having theadditional element uniformly distributed in the particles can beobtained with a higher firing temperature and a longer firing timeperiod. In other words, the lithium nickel cobalt manganese compositeoxide particles as intended can be obtained by adjusting the heattreated particles of a raw material and firing conditions.

(Firing Atmosphere)

An atmosphere in firing is preferably an oxidizing atmosphere, and morepreferably an atmosphere of 18 to 100% by volume of the oxygenconcentration. That is, firing is preferably performed in an ambient airor an oxygen flow. When the oxygen concentration is less than 18% byvolume, the nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particlesincluded in the heat-treated particles cannot be sufficiently oxidized,and thus crystallinity of the lithium nickel cobalt manganese compositeoxide may not be sufficient. Considering the cost in particular, thefiring is preferably performed in an air flow.

A furnace used in the firing is not particularly limited, and anyfurnace enabling the lithium mixture to be heated in an ambient air oroxygen flow is acceptable. An electric furnace not accompanied by gasgeneration is however preferred, and either one of batch type orcontinuous type furnace may be used.

(3) Nickel Cobalt Manganese Composite Hydroxide Particles

The nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles of the presentinvention (hereinafter, merely referred to as composite hydroxideparticles of the present invention) are spherical secondary particles ofthe nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide represented by thegeneral formula: Ni_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(z)M_(t) (OH)_(2+α), where 0.3≦x≦0.7,0.1≦y≦0.4, 0.1≦z≦50.5, 0≦t≦0.02, x+y+z+t=1, 0≦α≦0.5, and M is at leastone additional element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr,Zr, Al, Mg, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W. The nickel cobalt manganese compositehydroxide particles are formed by aggregation in a random direction of aplurality of platelike primary particles having an average thickness of10 to 300 nm and an average length of 100 to 3000 nm, and are adjustedso that a value represented by the expression of: [(d90−d10)/averageparticle diameter] as a marker indicating spreading of a particle sizedistribution thereof is 0.55 or less and an average particle diameterthereof is 3 to 7 μm.

Since the composite hydroxide particles of the present invention areparticularly suitable for the raw material for the aforementionedcathode active material of the present invention, the followingdescription is made on the precondition that the composite hydroxideparticles are used as a raw material of the cathode active material ofthe present invention.

When a cathode active material is obtained according to the aboveproduction method of the present invention, a composition ratio of thecomposite hydroxide particles of the present invention (Ni:Co:Mn:M) ismaintained even in the cathode active material. The composition ratio ofthe composite hydroxide particles of the present invention is thereforeadjusted similarly to that of an intended cathode active material.

(Particle Structure)

The composite hydroxide particles of the present invention are adjustedto give spherical particles, specifically, spherical secondary particlesformed by aggregation of a plurality of platelike primary particle.Since the plurality of the platelike primary particles are adjusted tohave an average thickness of 10 to 300 nm and an average length of 100to 3000 nm, diffusion of lithium can be sufficiently performed in asintering step of forming the cathode active material and voids in thesecondary particles do not increase extremely.

In the case of the average thickness of the platelike primary particlesexceeding 300 nm or in the case of the average length thereof exceeding3000 nm, a spherical property of the secondary particles may beunpreferably impaired. On the other hand, in the case of the averagethickness of the platelike primary particles less than 10 nm or in thecase of the average length thereof less than 100 nm, voids in theprimary particles present in the spherical secondary particlesrelatively increase. Particles (cathode active material) then becomeporous even after reaction with the lithium in the sintering step offorming the cathode active material, so that fine powder may beunpreferably generated with repetition of charge and discharge.

Additionally, since the platelike primary particles aggregate in randomdirections to form the secondary particles, voids are generated almostuniformly among the primary particles, and thus when fired after mixingwith the lithium compound, a molten lithium compound distributes in thesecondary particles to sufficiently accomplish the diffusion of lithium.

(Particle Size Distribution)

The composite hydroxide particles of the present invention are adjustedto have a value represented by the expression of: [(d90−d10)/averageparticle diameter] as a marker indicating spreading of the particle sizedistribution of 0.55 or less.

Since the particle size distribution of the cathode active material issignificantly affected by the composite hydroxide particles of the rawmaterial, contamination of fine particles or coarse particles in thecomposite hydroxide particles leads to the presence of similar particlesalso in the cathode active material. In other words, when the valuerepresented by the expression of: [(d90−d10)/average particle diameter]exceeds 0.55, and thus in a state of a broad particle size distribution,fine particles or coarse particles will be present also in the cathodeactive material.

When the value represented by the expression of: [(d90−d10)/averageparticle diameter] is adjusted to be 0.55 or less in the compositehydroxide particles of the present invention, the cathode activematerial obtained using the composite hydroxide particles of the presentinvention as a raw material can have a narrow range of the particle sizedistribution, and uniform particle diameters can be attained. Thus, theobtained particle size distribution of the cathode active material canexhibit the aforementioned marker [(d90−d10)/average particle diameter]of 0.6 or less. Accordingly, a battery having an electrode formed withthe cathode active material formed with the composite hydroxideparticles of the present invention as a raw material can be provided asa battery having favorable cycle characteristics and output.

(Average Particle Diameter)

The composite hydroxide particles of the present invention preferablyhave the average particle diameter adjusted to 3 to 7 μm. This isbecause, by adjusting the average particle diameter to 3 to 7 μm, thecathode active material obtained using the composite hydroxide particlesof the present invention as a raw material can be adjusted to have apredetermined average particle diameter (2 to 8 μm). Accordingly, thecathode active material of the present invention as described above canbe formed using the composite hydroxide particles of the presentinvention as a raw material.

In this regard, when the composite hydroxide particles of the presentinvention have an average particle diameter of less than 3 μm, thecathode active material also has a small average particle diameter,whereby the packing density of the positive electrode is reduced toresult in reduction of the battery capacity per volume. To the contrary,when the composite hydroxide particles of the present invention have anaverage particle diameter of over 7 μm, the specific surface area of thecathode active material is reduced to result in reduction of theinterface with the electrolytic solution, whereby the resistance of thepositive electrode is increased to cause deterioration of the outputcharacteristics of the battery.

The composite hydroxide particles of the present invention thereforehave the average particle diameter adjusted to 3 to 7 μm. In this case,the cathode active material of the present invention can be obtainedusing the composite hydroxide particles of the present invention as araw material, and when a positive electrode with the cathode activematerial of the present invention is used for a battery, excellentbattery characteristics can be achieved.

(Method for Producing Nickel Cobalt Manganese Composite HydroxideParticles)

The composite hydroxide particles of the present invention having theabove characteristics can be produced by the following method.

The method for producing the composite hydroxide particles of thepresent invention is a method for producing nickel cobalt manganesecomposite hydroxide particles by a crystallization reaction and includesa) a nucleation step of performing nucleation and b) a particle growthstep of growing the nuclei produced in the nucleation step.

In other words, according to the method for producing the compositehydroxide particles of the present invention, a nucleation reaction anda particle growth reaction do not proceed in the same vessel at the sametime as in conventional continuous crystallization methods (see PatentLiteratures 2 and 3). The present method is characterized by definiteseparation of the time period during which the nucleation reactionmainly occurs (nucleation step), and the time period during which theparticle growth reaction mainly occurs (particle growth step).

Summary of the method for producing the composite hydroxide particles ofthe present invention is first described with reference to FIG. 1. InFIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the nucleation step is illustrated in (A), whereasthe particle growth step is illustrated in (B).

(Nucleation Step)

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of metal compounds containing nickel,cobalt and manganese are first dissolved in water at a predeterminedratio to prepare a mixed aqueous solution. In the method for producingthe composite hydroxide particles of the present invention, acomposition ratio of each metal in the obtained composite hydroxideparticles becomes similar to a composition ratio of each metal in themixed aqueous solution.

Therefore, the mixed aqueous solution is prepared by adjusting the ratioof the metal compounds to be dissolved in water so that the compositionratio of each metal in the mixed aqueous solution becomes the same asthe composition ratio of each metal in the composite hydroxide particlesof the present invention.

On the other hand, in the reaction vessel, an alkaline aqueous solutionsuch as an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, an aqueous ammoniasolution containing an amnonium ion donor and water are supplied andmixed to form an aqueous solution. This aqueous solution (hereinafter,referred to as aqueous solution before the reaction) is adjusted to havea pH thereof to fall within the range of 12.0 to 14.0 in terms of the pHas measured at a liquid temperature of 25° C. as a standard, byadjusting an amount of supplied alkaline aqueous solution. An ammoniumion concentration in the aqueous solution before the reaction isconcurrently adjusted to 3 to 25 g/l. Furthermore, a temperature of theaqueous solution before the reaction is adjusted to fall within therange of 20 to 60° C. The pH and the ammonium ion concentration of theliquid in the reaction vessel can be measured with a common pH meter andan ion meter, respectively.

When the temperature and the pH of the aqueous solution before thereaction are adjusted, the mixed aqueous solution is supplied into thereaction vessel while the aqueous solution in the reaction vessel isstirred. Since an aqueous solution prepared by mixing the aqueoussolution before the reaction with the mixed aqueous solution(hereinafter, referred to as aqueous reaction solution) is formed in thereaction vessel, very fine nuclei of the composite hydroxide of thepresent invention can be produced in the aqueous reaction solution. Inthis procedure, the pH of the aqueous reaction solution falls within theabove range; therefore, the produced nuclei hardly grow, and productionof the nuclei occurs preferentially.

Since the nucleation is accompanied by change in the pH and the ammoniumion concentration of the aqueous reaction solution, an alkaline aqueoussolution and an aqueous ammonia solution are supplied together with themixed aqueous solution to the aqueous reaction solution to control thepH and the ammonium ion concentration of the aqueous reaction solutionso as to be maintained at predetermined values.

As described above, when the mixed aqueous solution, the alkalineaqueous solution and the aqueous ammonia solution are successivelysupplied to the aqueous reaction solution, production of additionalnuclei persists continuously in the aqueous reaction solution.Subsequently, when the nuclei are produced by a predetermined amount inthe aqueous reaction solution, the nucleation step is terminated.Whether or not the nuclei have been produced by the predetermined amountmay be determined based on an amount of the metal salt added to theaqueous reaction solution.

The aforementioned aqueous reaction solution, namely an aqueous reactionsolution prepared by mixing the mixed aqueous solution, the alkalineaqueous solution and the aqueous ammonia solution, and having the pHadjusted to fall within the range of 12.0 to 14.0 is the aqueoussolution for nucleation according to claims.

(Particle Growth Step)

After completing the nucleation step, the pH of the aqueous reactionsolution is adjusted to 10.5 to 12.0 in terms of the pH as measured at aliquid temperature of 25° C. as a standard. Specifically, the pH of theaqueous reaction solution is controlled by adjusting the amount of thesupplied alkaline aqueous solution.

When the pH of the aqueous reaction solution becomes 12.0 or less, thecomposite hydroxide particles of the present invention having apredetermined particle diameter are formed in the aqueous reactionsolution. In this procedure, since the pH of the aqueous solution fallswithin the above range, the growth reaction of the nuclei preferentiallyoccurs as compared with the production reaction of the nuclei;therefore, additional nuclei are hardly produced in the aqueoussolution.

When composite hydroxide particles having a predetermined particlediameter are produced by a predetermined amount, the particle growthstep is terminated. The amount of production of the composite hydroxideparticles having the predetermined particle diameter is determined basedon the amount of the metal salt added to the aqueous reaction solution.

The aforementioned aqueous reaction solution, namely an aqueous reactionsolution prepared by mixing the mixed aqueous solution, the alkalineaqueous solution and the aqueous ammonia solution, and having the pHadjusted to fall within the range of 10.5 to 12.0 is the aqueoussolution for particle growth according to claims.

As described above, in the case of the method for producing thecomposite hydroxide particles, nucleation preferentially occurs whilethe nuclei growth hardly occurs in the nucleation step, and to thecontrary, only the nuclear growth occurs while additional nuclei arehardly produced in the particle growth step. Thus, uniform nuclei havinga narrow range of the particle size distribution can be formed in thenucleation step, whereas nuclei can be uniformly grown in the particlegrowth step. Uniform nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles having a narrow range of the particle size distribution cantherefore be obtained according to the method for producing thecomposite hydroxide particles.

In the case of the above method, since metal ions are crystallized asthe composite hydroxide nuclei or particles in both steps, theproportion of the liquid component with respect to the metal componentsin the aqueous reaction solution increases. Thus, the supplied mixedaqueous solution seems to have the concentration apparently decreased,and there is a possibility of failure in sufficient growth of thecomposite hydroxide particles in the particle growth step.

Therefore, after completing the nucleation step or during the particlegrowth step, a part of the aqueous reaction solution is discharged outfrom the reaction vessel. Specifically, supply of the mixed aqueoussolution and the like to the aqueous reaction solution and stirring ofthe mixture are stopped to cause the nuclei and composite hydroxideparticles to settle out, and then the supernatant of the aqueousreaction solution is discharged. Consequently, relative concentration ofthe mixed aqueous solution in the aqueous reaction solution can beincreased. Thus, the composite hydroxide particles can be grown in thestate of the mixed aqueous solution having a relatively highconcentration; therefore, the particle size distribution of thecomposite hydroxide particles can be still more narrowed, and thedensity of the composite hydroxide particles can also be increased.

Furthermore, the pH of the aqueous solution for nucleation aftercompleting the nucleation step is adjusted to form the aqueous solutionfor particle growth, and then the particle growth step is performed inthe above-described embodiment; therefore, the method is advantageous inthat transfer to the particle growth step can be rapidly executed.

However, as shown in FIG. 2, an aqueous components-adjusted solutionhaving a pH and an ammonium ion concentration adjusted suitable for thenucleation step is formed separately from the aqueous solution forparticle growth, and an aqueous reaction solution is prepared by addingto this aqueous components-adjusted solution an aqueous solutioncontaining the nuclei that have been subjected to the nucleation step inanother reaction vessel. The particle growth step is then performedusing the resulting aqueous reaction solution (namely, the aqueoussolution for particle growth).

In this case, separation of the nucleation step and the particle growthstep can be more certainly ensured; therefore, a state of the aqueousreaction solution in each step can fall under the optimum condition foreach step. In particular, from an initial stage of starting the particlegrowth step, a pH condition of the aqueous reaction solution can beoptimized. Accordingly, the nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles formed in the particle growth step can have a narrower rangeof the particle size distribution and can be more uniform.

Moreover, in the case of the method according to the present invention,when the aqueous solution for particle growth is formed by adjusting thepH of the aqueous solution for nucleation as described above, theparticle growth step can be performed subsequently to the nucleationstep. Thus, transfer from the nucleation step to the particle growthstep can be executed by merely adjusting the pH of the aqueous reactionsolution, and the method is also advantageous in that the pH can also beeasily adjusted by temporarily stopping the supply of the alkalineaqueous solution. It should be noted that the pH of the aqueous reactionsolution can also be adjusted by adding to the aqueous reaction solutionthe same type of an inorganic acid as that of the acid of the metalcompound, for example, sulfuric acid in the case of sulfuric acid salt.

Next, substances, solutions, and reaction conditions used in each stepare described in detail.

(pH)

(Nucleation Step)

As described above, the pH of the aqueous reaction solution is adjustedso as to be 12.0 to 14.0, preferably 12.0 to 13.5 in terms of the pH asmeasured at a liquid temperature of 25° C. as a standard in thenucleation step.

When the pH is higher than 14.0, the produced nuclei may become toofine, and a problem of gelation of the aqueous reaction solution mayoccur. In contrast, when the pH is less than 12.0, the growth reactionof the nuclei occurs along with formation of the nuclei; therefore, arange of the particle size distribution of the formed nuclei becomesbroad and ununiform.

It is therefore necessary to adjust the pH of the aqueous reactionsolution in the particle growth step to 12.0 to 14.0. When the pH fallswithin this range, growth of the nuclei can be suppressed and almostonly the nucleation can occur in the nucleation step, and the formednuclei can be uniform and has a narrow range of the particle sizedistribution.

(Particle Growth Step)

As described above, the pH of the aqueous reaction solution is adjustedso as to be 10.5 to 12.0 in terms of the pH as measured at a liquidtemperature of 25° C. as a standard in the particle growth step.

When the pH is higher than 12.0, a large number of nuclei areadditionally produced and thus hydroxide particles having a favorableparticle diameter distribution cannot be obtained. On the other hand,when the pH is less than 10.5, solubility of metal becomes high due tothe presence of ammonium ions, thereby increasing metal withoutprecipitation. Metal ions remaining in the liquid therefore unpreferablyincreases.

It is therefore necessary to adjust the pH of the aqueous reactionsolution in the particle growth step to 10.5 to 12.0. When the pH fallswithin this range, only the growth of the nuclei produced in thenucleation step can preferentially occur, and additional nucleiformation can be suppressed. Accordingly, the formed nickel cobaltmanganese composite hydroxide particles can be uniform and have a narrowrange of the particle size distribution.

Since the pH of 12 is a boundary condition between the nucleation andthe nuclear growth, the condition can be for either the nucleation stepor the particle growth step, depending on presence or absence of thenuclei existing in the aqueous reaction solution.

That is, after causing nucleation in a large amount by increasing the pHin the nucleation step to higher than 12, the pH is adjusted to 12 inthe particle growth step. Consequently, since a large amount of thenuclei are present in the aqueous reaction solution, the nuclei growthpreferentially occurs, whereby the above hydroxide particles having arelatively large particle diameter and a narrow particle diameterdistribution can be obtained.

On the other hand, in the state in which the nuclei are not present inthe aqueous reaction solution, namely in the case of the pH adjusted to12 in the nucleation step, the nucleation preferentially occurs becauseof the absence of the nuclei to be grown, whereas the produced nucleican be grown by adjusting the pH to lower than 12 in the particle growthstep to enable favorable hydroxide particles described above to beobtained.

In either case, the pH in the particle growth step may be controlled tobe lower than the pH in the nucleation step.

(Amount of Nucleation)

Although an amount of the nucleation in the nucleation step is notparticularly limited, the amount of nuclei is adjusted to be preferablyfrom 0.1% to 2%, and more preferably 1.5% or less of the total amount,namely the amount of the entire metal salt supplied for obtainingcomposite hydroxide particles in order to obtain composite hydroxideparticles having a favorable particle size distribution.

(Control of Particle Diameter of Composite Hydroxide Particles)

Since the particle diameter of the composite hydroxide particles can becontrolled by means of the time period of the particle growth step,composite hydroxide particles having a desired particle diameter can beobtained by continuing the particle growth step until growth to give thedesired particle diameter.

Additionally, the particle diameter of the composite hydroxide particlescan be controlled not only in the particle growth step, but also by thepH and the amount of the raw material supplied for nucleation in thenucleation step.

That is, the number of the produced nuclei is increased by adjusting thepH in the nucleation to a higher pH, or by increasing the amount of thesupplied raw material with longer time period of the nucleation. Thus,also in the case where the particle growth step is performed under thesame condition, the particle diameter of the composite hydroxideparticles can be reduced.

On the other hand, by controlling the number of produced nuclei to bereduced, the resulting composite hydroxide particles can have a largerparticle diameter.

(Description of Other Conditions)

Hereinafter, conditions such as the metal compounds, the ammoniaconcentration in the aqueous reaction solution, the reactiontemperature, the atmosphere and the like are described, but thedifference between the nucleation step and the particle growth step liesonly in the range of controlling the pH of the aqueous reactionsolution, and thus the conditions such as the metal compounds, theammonia concentration in the aqueous reaction solution, the reactiontemperature, the atmosphere, and the like are substantially similarbetween both steps.

(Metal Compounds)

As the metal compounds, a compound containing an intended metal is used.The compounds to be used are preferably water soluble compounds.Examples of the metal compounds include nitrate, sulfate andhydrochloride. For example, nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate and manganesesulfate are preferably used.

When the mixed aqueous solution is formed, each metal compound isadjusted so that the ratio of the number of atoms of the metal ionspresent in the mixed aqueous solution corresponds to the ratio of thenumber of atoms of the metal ions in the intended composite hydroxide.

(Additional Element)

As the additional element (at least one element selected from the groupconsisting of Ti, V, Cr, Al, Mg, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W), a watersoluble compound is preferably used. Examples of the additional elementinclude titanium sulfate, ammonium peroxotitanate, titanium potassiumoxalate, vanadium sulfate, ammonium vanadate, chromium sulfate,potassium chromate, zirconium sulfate, zirconium nitrate, niobiumoxalate, ammonium molybdate, sodium tungstate, and amnonium tungstate.

For causing such an additional element to be uniformly dispersed in thecomposite hydroxide particles, an additive containing the additionalelement may be added to the mixed aqueous solution. Coprecipitation isthen enabled in the state in which the additional element is uniformlydispersed in the composite hydroxide particles.

Moreover, when surfaces of the composite hydroxide particles are coveredwith the additional element, for example, a slurry of the compositehydroxide particles is formed with an aqueous solution containing theadditional element to cause the additional element to precipitate on thesurfaces of the composite hydroxide particles by a crystallizationreaction. Consequently, the surfaces thereof can be covered with theadditional element. In this case, an alkoxide solution containing theadditional element may be used instead of the aqueous solutioncontaining the additional element. Further, the surfaces of thecomposite hydroxide particles can be covered with the additional elementby spraying an aqueous solution or slurry containing the additionalelement onto the composite hydroxide particles followed by drying.

When the surfaces of the composite hydroxide particles are covered withthe additional element, by reducing the ratio of the number of atoms ofadditional element ions present in the mixed aqueous solution by theamount just required for the covering, agreement with the ratio of thenumber of atoms of metal ions in the resulting composite hydroxideparticles can be achieved.

Further, the step of covering the surfaces of the particles with theadditional element may be performed to the particles after heating thecomposite hydroxide particles, that is, to the heat treated particlesdescribed above.

(Concentration of Mixed Aqueous Solution)

The concentration of the mixed aqueous solution is preferably 1 to 2.4mol/L in terms of the total amount of the metal compounds. Even if theconcentration of the mixed aqueous solution is less than 1 mol/L, acrystallization reaction of the composite hydroxide particles can beperformed; however, the productivity is unpreferably reduced due to thesmaller amount of crystallized product per the reaction vessel.

On the other hand, since the salt concentration of the mixed aqueoussolution exceeding 2.4 mol/L is higher than saturated concentration atan ordinary temperature, there arises a risk of clogging in piping ofthe equipment by redeposition of the crystal or the like.

Additionally, the metal compounds may not necessarily be supplied to thereaction vessel in the form of the mixed aqueous solution. They may besupplied as aqueous solutions of respective metal compounds at apredetermined ratio into the reaction vessel so that total concentrationof the metal compounds in the aqueous reaction solution falls within theabove range.

Furthermore, the amount of the mixed aqueous solution etc., and aqueoussolutions of respective metal compounds supplied to the reaction vesselare desirably adjusted so that a concentration of the crystallizedproduct at the end of the crystallization reaction becomes about 30 to200 g/l. When the concentration of the crystallized product is less than30 g/l, aggregation of the primary particles may be insufficient,whereas the concentration exceeding 200 g/l may result in insufficientdiffusion in the reaction vessel of the mixed aqueous solution to beadded, whereby the particle growth may be biased.

(Ammonia Concentration)

In the reaction vessel, the ammonia concentration in the aqueousreaction solution is maintained at a constant value within the range ofpreferably 3 to 25 g/l so as not to cause the following problems.

First, ammonia acts as a complexing agent, and when the ammoniaconcentration is less than 3 g/l, solubility of the metal ions cannot bekept constant. Therefore, platelike hydroxide primary particles havingregulated shapes and particle diameters cannot be formed, and gelatinousnuclei are likely to be produced, so that the particle size distributionis likely to be broad.

On the other hand, when the ammonia concentration exceeds 25 g/l,solubility of the metal ions becomes too high, whereby an amount of themetal ions remaining in the aqueous reaction solution increases to causedeviation of the composition and the like.

Additionally, when the ammonia concentration varies, solubility of themetal ions also varies, thereby leading to failure in formation ofuniform hydroxide particles; therefore, maintaining the ammoniaconcentration at a constant value is preferred. For example, it ispreferable to maintain the ammonia concentration at a desiredconcentration with the difference between the upper limit and the lowerlimit of about 5 g/l.

Although the ammonium ion donor is not particularly limited, forexample, ammonia, ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, ammoniumcarbonate, ammonium fluoride and the like may be used.

(Temperature of Aqueous Reaction Solution)

In the reaction vessel, the temperature of the aqueous reaction solutionis set to be preferably 20° C. or more, more preferably 20 to 60° C.When the temperature of the aqueous reaction solution is less than 20°C., generation of nuclei is likely to occur due to the low temperature,making the control difficult. To the contrary, when the temperatureexceeds 60° C., volatilization of ammonia is promoted to lead tonecessity of adding an excess amount of the ammonium ion donor formaintaining the predetermined ammonia concentration.

(Alkaline Aqueous Solution)

The alkaline aqueous solution for adjusting the pH in the reactionvessel is not particularly limited, and for example, an aqueous solutionof an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide or potassiumhydroxide may be used. When such an alkali metal hydroxide is used, itmay be directly added to the mixed aqueous solution before beingsupplied to the reaction vessel; however, to add in the form of anaqueous solution to the aqueous reaction solution in the reaction vesselis preferred because of ease in controlling the pH of the aqueousreaction solution in the reaction vessel.

Also, the method for adding the alkaline aqueous solution to thereaction vessel is not particularly limited, and the alkaline aqueoussolution may be added with a pump that enables a flow rate to becontrolled such as a metering pump so that the pH of the aqueoussolution in the reaction vessel is maintained within the predeterminedrange, while sufficiently stirring the mixed aqueous solution.

(Reaction Atmosphere)

Although the atmosphere during the reaction is not particularly limited,excessively oxidizing atmosphere is not preferred for ensuring stableproduction. The atmosphere during the reaction is preferably controlledat least in the particle growth step. For example, by performing thecrystallization reaction with the oxygen concentration in the spacewithin the reaction vessel controlled at 10% or less, unnecessaryoxidization of the particles is suppressed, whereby particles having aneven particle size can be obtained.

Furthermore, means for maintaining the space within the reaction vesselin such a state may include allowing an inert gas such as nitrogen toconstantly flow in the vessel.

(Production Equipment)

In the method for producing the composite hydroxide particles of thepresent invention, used is an apparatus employing a system in which aproduct is not obtained until the reaction is completed. An example ofthe apparatus includes a commonly used batch reaction vessel equippedwith a stirrer. When such an apparatus is employed, a problem ofobtaining growing particles simultaneously with an overflowed liquiddoes not occur, as in the case of general continuous crystallizationapparatuses in which the product is obtained by overflow. Particleshaving a narrow particle size distribution and an even particle diametercan therefore be obtained.

Additionally, in the case of controlling the reaction atmosphere, anapparatus in which the atmosphere can be controlled such as enclosedapparatus is preferred. When such an apparatus is used, the nucleationreaction and the particle growth reaction proceed almost evenly;therefore, particles excellent in the particle diameter distribution(namely, particles having a narrow range of the particle sizedistribution) can be obtained.

EXAMPLES

Concerning the composite hydroxide produced according to the method ofthe present invention, and the cathode active material producedaccording to the method of the present invention using this compositehydroxide as a raw material, average particle diameters and particlesize distributions thereof were ascertained.

Additionally, concerning a secondary battery having a positive electrodeproduced by using the cathode active material produced according to themethod of the present invention, performances (initial dischargecapacity, cycle capacity retention rate, positive electrode resistanceratio) thereof were ascertained.

Hereinafter, the present invention is specifically described withExamples of the present invention, but the present invention is not anyhow limited to these Examples.

(Measurement of Average Particle Diameter and Particle SizeDistribution)

Average particle diameters and particle size distributions (valuesrepresented by the expression of: [(d90−d10)/average particle diameter])of the composite hydroxide and the cathode active material werecalculated from volume-integrated values measured using a laserdiffraction scattering type particle size distribution measurementapparatus (Microtrack HRA, manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.).

Crystal structures were also ascertained by X-ray diffractionmeasurement (X 'Pert PRO, manufactured by PANalytical Inc.).

Furthermore, compositions of the obtained composite hydroxide andcathode active material were ascertained by an ICP emission spectroscopyafter dissolving a sample.

(Production of Secondary Battery)

For the evaluation, a winding type lithium secondary battery produced bythe following method was used.

A positive electrode mixture paste was first prepared by mixing acathode active material of 25° C., a conductive material includingcarbon black and a binder including polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) at amass ratio of 85:10:5, and by dissolving the mixture in a solution ofN-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP).

The obtained positive electrode mixture paste was applied to both sidesof aluminum foil by a comma coater to heat it at 100° C., followed bydrying, whereby a positive electrode was obtained.

A positive electrode sheet with improved electrode density was preparedby applying a load to thus obtained positive electrode through a rollingpress machine.

A negative electrode mixture paste was then prepared by dissolving ananode active material including graphite and PVDF of a binder at a massratio of 92.5:7.5 in an NMP solution.

The obtained negative electrode mixture paste was applied to both sidesof copper foil by the comma coater to dry it at 120° C., whereby anegative electrode was obtained, similarly to the positive electrode. Anegative electrode sheet with improved electrode density was prepared byapplying a load to thus obtained negative electrode through the rollingpress machine.

A winding type electrode assembly was formed by winding thus obtainedpositive electrode sheet and negative electrode sheet via a separatormade of a microporous polyethylene sheet of its thickness of 25 μm. Thewinding type electrode assembly was inserted into a battery case so thatlead tabs provided on the positive electrode sheet and the negativeelectrode sheet are connected to a positive electrode terminal and anegative electrode terminal, respectively.

Further, an electrolytic solution was prepared by dissolving LiPF₆ oflithium salt in an organic solvent including a mixed solution obtainedby mixing ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethylene carbonate (DEC) at avolume ratio of 3:7 so as to be 1 mol/dm³ in the electrolytic solution.

The obtained electrolytic solution was poured into the battery case intowhich the winding type electrode assembly was inserted. An opening ofthe battery case was then tightly sealed, followed by sealing thebattery case, thereby producing a secondary battery.

The initial discharge capacity, the cycle capacity retention rate andthe positive electrode resistance ratio for evaluating performances ofthe produced secondary battery were defined as follows.

For determining the initial discharge capacity, the secondary batterywas left to stand for about 24 hours. After an open circuit voltage(OCV) was stabilized, the secondary battery was charged with an electriccurrent density to the positive electrode 0.5 mA/cm² up to a cut-offvoltage of 4.3 V. After pausing for 1 hour, the secondary battery wasdischarged down to a cut-off voltage of 3.0 V and a capacity at thattime was determined as an initial discharge capacity.

For determining the cycle capacity retention rate, 500-cycle chargingand discharging were repeated with an electric current density to thepositive electrode 3.0 mA/cm² and a cut off voltage of 4.3 to 3.0 V at atemperature of 60° C. A ratio of the discharge capacity after therepetition to the initial discharge capacity was calculated to determinea capacity retention rate.

Further, for the positive electrode resistance ratio, the secondarybattery was charged at a charging potential of 4.1 V, and then afrequency response analyzer and a Potentio/Galvanostat were used formeasurement with an alternating current impedance method to obtain aNyquist plot shown in FIG. 8. This Nyquist plot illustrates the sum ofcharacteristic curves showing a solution resistance, a negativeelectrode resistance and a capacity thereof, and a positive electroderesistance and a capacity thereof. Therefore, a value of the positiveelectrode resistance was calculated using an equivalent circuit based onthis Nyquist plot by fitting calculation. A ratio of the value of thispositive electrode resistance to a value of a positive electroderesistance described later in Comparative Example 1 was then determinedas the positive electrode resistance ratio.

In Examples of the present invention, respective samples of specialgrade reagents manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd. wereused for producing composite hydroxides, cathode active materials andsecondary batteries.

Example 1 (Step of Producing Composite Hydroxide)

A composite hydroxide was produced as in the following with the methodof the present invention.

A reaction vessel of 34 L was first filled half full of water.Thereafter, while stirring the water, a temperature in the vessel wasset to 40° C., and nitrogen gas was introduced into the vessel to form anitrogen atmosphere. At that time, a concentration of oxygen in thespace of the vessel was 2.0%.

A 25% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and a 25% aqueous ammonia wereadded into water in the reaction vessel in appropriate amounts, and anaqueous solution before the reaction in the vessel was adjusted to havea pH of 12.6 in terms of the pH as measured at a liquid temperature of25° C. as a standard. Additionally, the ammonia concentration in theaqueous solution before the reaction was adjusted to 10 g/l.

(Nucleation Step)

Next, nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate, manganese sulfate, zirconiumsulfate and sodium tungstate were dissolved in water to form a 1.8 mol/Lmixed aqueous solution. In this mixed aqueous solution, a molar ratio ofeach metal element was adjusted so as to give Ni:Co:Mn:Zr:W of0.33:0.33:0.33:0.005:0.005.

The above mixed aqueous solution was added to the aqueous solutionbefore the reaction in the reaction vessel at a rate of 88 ml/min. A 25%aqueous ammonia and a 25% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution were alsoadded simultaneously to the aqueous solution before the reaction in thereaction vessel at a constant rate, and thus nucleation was performed byperforming crystallization for 2 minutes and 30 seconds while the pH wascontrolled at 12.6 (pH for nucleation) with the ammonia concentration inan aqueous reaction solution maintained at the aforementioned value.

(Particle Growth Step)

Thereafter, supply of only the 25% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution wastemporarily stopped until the pH of the aqueous reaction solution became11.6 (pH for particle growth) in terms of the pH as measured at a liquidtemperature of 25° C. as a standard.

After the pH of the aqueous reaction solution reached 11.6 in terms ofthe pH as measured at a liquid temperature of 25° C. as a standard,supply of the 25% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was started again toperform particle growth by continuing the crystallization for 2 hourswhile the pH was kept controlled at 11.6.

When the reaction vessel was filled up, the crystallization wasterminated and the stirring was stopped, and the mixture was stood stillto induce precipitation of a product. After a half amount of thesupernatant was drawn out from the reaction vessel, crystallization wasstarted again to perform the crystallization for 2 hours (for 4 hours intotal), and then the crystallization was completed. Thereafter, theproduct was washed with water, filtrated and dried to obtain particles.

Thus obtained particles were composite hydroxide particles representedby Ni_(0.33)Co_(0.33)Mn_(0.33)Zr_(0.005)W_(0.005)(OH)_(2+α) (0≦α≦0.5).

As shown in FIG. 5, measurement of the particle size distribution of thecomposite hydroxide particles verified that the average particlediameter was 3.6 μm, and the value represented by the expression of:[(d90−d10)/average particle diameter] was 0.48.

According to SEM photographs (FIG. 6) showing results of observation ofthe obtained composite hydroxide particles with an SEM (scanningelectron microscope S-4700, manufactured by Hitachi High-TechnologiesCorporation), it was ascertained that the secondary particles wereformed by platelike primary particles with their thickness of about 200nm and their length of about 1000 nm randomly aggregating.

(Step of Producing Cathode Active Material)

The above composite hydroxide particles were subjected to a heattreatment in an ambient air at 150° C. for 12 hours. Thereafter, lithiumcarbonate was weighed so that a ratio of Li/Me became 1.15, and mixedwith the heat treated composite hydroxide particles to form a mixture.The mixing was performed using a shaker-mixer apparatus (TURBULA TypeT2C, manufactured by Willy A Bachofen (WAB) AG).

Thus obtained mixture was subjected to calcination in an air flow(oxygen: 21% by volume) at 760° C. for 4 hours, thereafter fired at 950°C. for 10 hours, followed by disintegrating to obtain a cathode activematerial.

As shown in FIG. 5, measurement of the particle size distribution of theobtained cathode active material revealed that the average particlediameter was 3.8 μm, and the value represented by the expression of:[(d90−d10)/average particle diameter] was 0.55.

Moreover, when an SEM observation of the cathode active material wasperformed in a similar manner to the composite hydroxide particles, itwas ascertained that the obtained cathode active material was nearlyspherical, and had an almost even particle diameter as shown in the SEMphotograph (FIG. 7).

A powder X-ray diffraction analysis of the obtained cathode activematerial with a Cu-Ku ray also revealed that the material had a singlephase of a hexagonal layered crystal lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganesecomposite oxide.

Furthermore, a chemical analysis of the cathode active material verifieda composition containing Li of 7.83% by mass, Ni of 19.1% by mass, Co of19.2% by mass, Mn of 17.9% by mass, Zr of 0.46% by mass and W of 0.93%by mass, indicating to beLi_(1.146)Ni_(0.33)Co_(0.33)Mn_(0.33)Zr_(0.005)W_(0.005)O₂.

(Battery Evaluation)

A secondary battery having a positive electrode formed using the cathodeactive material was subjected to a charge and discharge test, andrevealed that the secondary battery had an initial discharge capacity of158.0 mAh/g and a capacity retention rate of 91% after 500 cycles, asshown in FIG. 5. Additionally, the positive electrode resistance ratiowas 0.57.

With regard to Examples 2 to 15 and Comparative Examples 1 to 7 below,only the substances and conditions changed from the aforementionedExample 1 are referred to. Additionally, results of each evaluation ofExamples 2 to 15 and Comparative Examples 1 to 7 are shown in FIG. 5.

Example 2

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatmixing was performed so that Li/Me became 1.10.

Example 3

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatmixing was performed so that Li/Me became 1.12 and the firing conditionsof the temperature at 970° C. for 10 hours were employed.

Example 4

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatthe firing conditions of the temperature at 900° C. for 10 hours wereemployed.

Example 5

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatthe conditions for calcinations of the temperature at 400° C. for 10hours were employed.

Example 6

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatcalcination was not performed and firing was performed at 950° C. for 10hours.

Example 7

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatthe mixed aqueous solution was prepared so that the molar ratio of themetal elements in terms of Ni:Co:Mn:Zr became 0.33:0.33:0.33:0.01 in thestep of producing the composite hydroxide.

Example 8

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatthe mixed aqueous solution was prepared so that the molar ratio of themetal elements in terms of Ni:Co:Mn:Zr:W:Nb became0.328:0.328:0.328:0.005:0.005:0.005 in the step of producing thecomposite hydroxide.

Example 9

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatthe mixed aqueous solution was prepared so that the molar ratio of themetal elements in terms of Ni:Co:Mn:Zr:W became0.397:0.297:0.297:0.005:0.005 and the firing conditions of thetemperature at 930° C. for 10 hours were employed in the step ofproducing the composite hydroxide.

Example 10

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except that,in the step of producing the composite hydroxide, the mixed aqueoussolution was prepared so that the molar ratio of the metal elements interms of Ni:Co:Mn:Zr became 0.498:0.248:0.248:0.005; pH for nucleationwas adjusted to 12.8; mixing was performed so that Li/Me became 1.05;and the firing conditions of the temperature at 900° C. for 10 hourswere employed.

Example 11

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatmixing was performed so that Li/Me became 1.10 and the firing conditionsof the temperature at 860° C. for 10 hours were employed.

Example 12

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatthe mixed aqueous solution was prepared so that the molar ratio of themetal elements in terms of Ni:Co:Mn became 0.333:0.333:0.333 and ahydroxide without the additional element M was obtained in the step ofproducing the composite hydroxide.

Example 13

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatcrystallization time period for nucleation was adjusted to 30 seconds inthe step of producing the composite hydroxide.

Example 14

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatthe temperature in the vessel was adjusted to 50° C. and the ammoniaconcentration was adjusted to 20 g/l in the step of producing thecomposite hydroxide.

Example 15

A small-size reaction vessel of 5 L was filled half full of water.Thereafter, while stirring the water, a temperature in the vessel wasset to 40° C. and nitrogen gas was introduced into the vessel to form anitrogen atmosphere. A 25% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and a 25%aqueous ammonia were added thereto in appropriate amounts, and anaqueous solution before the reaction in the vessel was adjusted to havea pH of 12.6 in terms of the pH as measured at a liquid temperature of25° C. as a standard and the ammonia concentration in the solution wasadjusted to 10 g/l. Subsequently, a 1.8 mol/L mixed aqueous solutionprepared by dissolving nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate, manganesesulfate, zirconium sulfate and sodium tungstate (molar ratio of metalelements Ni:Co:Mn:Zr:W=0.33:0.33:0.33:0.005:0.005) in water, and a 25%aqueous ammonia and a 25% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution were addedto the aforementioned aqueous reaction solution at a constant rate withthe ammonia concentration in the aqueous reaction solution maintained atthe above value. Seed crystals were then obtained by performingcrystallization for 2 minutes and 30 seconds while the pH was controlledat 12.6 (pH for nucleation), similarly to the Example 1. Anotherreaction vessel of 34 L was filled half full of water. Thereafter, whilestirring the water, a temperature in the vessel was set to 40° C. andnitrogen gas was introduced into the vessel to form a nitrogenatmosphere. An oxygen concentration in the space within the reactionvessel at that time was 2.0%. A 25% aqueous sodium hydroxide solutionand a 25% aqueous ammonia were added thereto in appropriate amounts, andan aqueous components-adjusted solution in the vessel was adjusted tohave a pH of 11.6 in terms of the pH as measured at a liquid temperatureof 25° C. as a standard, and an ammonia concentration in the solutionwas adjusted to 10 g/l. After the aqueous reaction solution containingthe seed crystals obtained in the aforementioned small-size reactionvessel was introduced in this reaction vessel, the mixed aqueoussolution, an aqueous ammonia and an aqueous sodium hydroxide solutionwere added with the pH controlled at 11.6, and then particle growth wasperformed by continuing the crystallization for 2 hours, similarly toExample 1. When the reaction vessel was filled up, the crystallizationwas terminated and the stirring was stopped, and the mixture was stoodstill to induce precipitation of a product. After a half amount of thesupernatant was drawn out, crystallization was started again. After thecrystallization was performed for 2 hours (for 4 hours in total), thecrystallization was completed. Then, the product was washed with water,filtrated and dried. A cathode active material for a nonaqueouselectrolyte secondary battery was obtained and evaluated in a similarmanner to Example 1 with regard to the subsequent steps. FIG. 5 shows anaverage particle diameter and a value represented by the expression of:[(d90−d10)/average particle diameter] of the obtained compositehydroxide particles, an average particle diameter and a valuerepresented by the expression of: [(d90−d10)/average particle diameter]of the obtained cathode active material, an initial discharge capacity,a capacity retention rate after 500 cycles, and a positive electroderesistance ratio.

Example 16

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 15 except thatthe pH at the time of producing the seed crystals (pH for nucleation)was adjusted to 13.5, time period for producing the seed crystals was 1minute 15 seconds, and the ammonia concentration was adjusted to 15 g/lin the step of producing the composite hydroxide. FIG. 5 shows anaverage particle diameter and a value represented by the expression of:[(d90−d10)/average particle diameter] of the obtained compositehydroxide particles, an average particle diameter and a valuerepresented by the expression of: [(d90−d10)/average particle diameter]of the obtained cathode active material, an initial discharge capacity,a capacity retention rate after 500 cycles, and a positive electroderesistance ratio.

Comparative Example 1

Using a reaction vessel of 34 L for continuous crystallization providedwith a piping for overflowing at a top part, crystallization wasperformed in which a mixed aqueous solution having metal salt dissolvedtherein, an aqueous ammonia solution and a neutralizer solution wereadded continuously at a constant flow rate, similarly to Example 1,while maintaining the pH of the liquid at a constant value of 12.0 interms of the pH as measured at a liquid temperature of 25° C. as astandard, and a overflowing slurry was continuously obtained. A meanresidence time in the vessel was regulated to be 4 hours, and thecomposite hydroxide particles were obtained by obtaining the slurryafter an equilibrium state was attained in the reaction vessel, followedby solid-liquid separation. A cathode active material for a nonaqueouselectrolyte secondary battery was obtained by using the obtainedcomposite hydroxide particles according to the step of producing thecathode active material similar to Example 1, and evaluated.

Comparative Example 2

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatthe pHs during the nucleation and during the particle growth of theaqueous reaction solution were maintained at a constant value of 11.6 interms of the pH as measured at a liquid temperature of 25° C. as astandard in the step of producing the composite hydroxide.

Comparative Example 3

Nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles were obtained in asimilar manner to Example 1 except that the pHs during the nucleationand during the particle growth of the aqueous reaction solution weremaintained at a constant value of 12.6 in terms of the pH as measured ata liquid temperature of 25° C. as a standard in the step of producingthe composite hydroxide. The obtained composite hydroxide includedparticles having an indeterminate form containing gelatinous depositedmatter. Thus, the production of the cathode active material was stoppeddue to difficulty in the solid-liquid separation.

Comparative Example 4

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatthe firing conditions of the temperature at 1050° C. for 10 hours wereemployed.

Comparative Example 5

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatthe ratio of Li/Me became 1.25.

Comparative Example 6

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatthe ratio of Li/Me became 0.90.

Comparative Example 7

A cathode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batterywas obtained and evaluated in a similar manner to Example 1 except thatthe metal salt solution was prepared so that the molar ratio of themetal elements in terms of Ni:Co:Mn:Zr became 0.3234:0.3233:0.3233:0.03in the step of producing the composite hydroxide.

(Evaluation)

Since the composite hydroxide particles and cathode active materials ofExamples 1 to 16 were produced according to the present invention, bothof the average particle diameters and the values represented by theexpression of: [(d90−d10)/average particle diameter] as a markerindicating spreading of the particle size distribution fell within apreferable range, and the particles had a favorable particle diameterdistribution and an almost even particle diameter.

The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries produced using thesecathode active materials had a high initial discharge capacity,excellent cycle characteristics, and also a low positive electroderesistance. Accordingly, batteries having excellent characteristics wereprovided.

Since a continuous crystallization method was used in ComparativeExample 1, the nucleation and the particle growth could not beseparatively performed, leading to failure in keeping the particlegrowth time period constant; therefore, a broad particle sizedistribution was provided. Accordingly, the secondary battery hadinferior cycle characteristics although a high initial dischargecapacity was attained.

In Comparative Example 2, since the pHs during both the nucleation andthe particle growth were 12 or less, the amount of nucleation wasinsufficient, and thus the composite hydroxide particles and the cathodeactive material both had large particle diameters. Accordingly, thesecondary battery in which this cathode active material was used had aninsufficient surface area for reaction, and resulted in a high positiveelectrode resistance.

In Comparative Example 3, since the pHs during both the nucleation andthe particle growth were 12 or more, additional nuclei were generatedduring the overall period of the crystallization reaction. Therefore, abroad particle size distribution was provided, and also production ofthe cathode active material became difficult.

Since the steps of producing the cathode active materials in ComparativeExamples 4 to 6 were distinct from those of the present invention, acathode active material having favorable characteristics could not beobtained. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries in which thesecathode active materials were used had a larger positive electroderesistance, and also had both inferior initial discharge capacity andcycle characteristics.

Further, since the atomic ratio of the additional elements was higherthan the range of the present invention in Comparative Example 7, thesecondary battery had inferior initial discharge capacity and positiveelectrode resistance although a favorable particle size distribution wasattained.

From the above results, it is ascertained that when nickel cobaltmanganese composite hydroxide particles and a cathode active materialare produced by using the production method of the present invention, anonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery in which this cathode activematerial is used has a high initial discharge capacity, excellent cyclecharacteristics, and a low positive electrode resistance, indicatingproduction of a battery having excellent characteristics.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention issuitable for electric power supplies for small size mobile electronicdevices which consistently require a high capacity (notebook-sizedpersonal computers, mobile phone terminals, etc.), and also suitable forbatteries for electric automobiles which require high power.

Additionally, the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of thepresent invention is excellent in safety, and size reduction andincrease of the output are possible; therefore, the present battery issuitable for electric power supplies for electric automobiles havinglimited mounting space.

It should be noted that the present invention can be adopted not only toan electric power supply for electric automobiles exclusively driven byelectric energy, but also to an electric power supply for so-calledhybrid automobiles in which combustion engine such as a gasoline engineor diesel engine is used in combination.

1: A method for producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles represented by a general formula:Ni_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(z)M_(t)(OH)_(2+α), where 0.3≦x≦0.7, 0.1≦y≦0.4,0.1≦z≦0.5, 0≦t≦0.02, x+y+z+t=1, 0≦α≦0.5, and M is at least oneadditional element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Al,Mg, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W, employing a crystallization reaction, themethod comprising: a nucleation step of performing nucleation bycontrolling a pH of an aqueous solution for nucleation containing ametal compound having nickel, cobalt and manganese, and an ammonium iondonor to 12.0 to 14.0 in terms of the pH as measured at a liquidtemperature of 25° C. as a standard; and a particle growth step ofgrowing nuclei by controlling a pH of an aqueous solution for particlegrowth containing nuclei formed in the nucleation step to 10.5 to 12.0in terms of the pH as measured at a liquid temperature of 25° C. as astandard. 2: The method for producing nickel cobalt manganese compositehydroxide particles according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous solutionfor particle growth is formed by adjusting a pH of the aqueous solutionfor nucleation after completing the nucleation step. 3: The method forproducing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particlesaccording to claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution for particle growthis prepared by adding the aqueous solution containing the nuclei formedin the nucleation step to an aqueous solution distinct from the aqueoussolution for nucleation in which the nuclei have been formed. 4: Themethod for producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles according to claim 1, wherein the particle growth step isperformed after discharging a part of a liquid portion of the aqueoussolution for particle growth after the nucleation step. 5: The methodfor producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particlesaccording to claim 1, wherein a temperature of each aqueous solution ismaintained at 20° C. or more in the nucleation step and the particlegrowth step. 6: The method for producing nickel cobalt manganesecomposite hydroxide particles according to claim 1, wherein an ammoniaconcentration of each aqueous solution is maintained within a range of 3to 25 g/l in the nucleation step and the particle growth step. 7: Themethod for producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles according to claim 1, wherein a nickel cobalt manganesecomposite hydroxide obtained in the particle growth step is covered witha compound including at least one of the additional elements. 8-16:(canceled) 17: The method for producing nickel cobalt manganesecomposite hydroxide particles according to claim 2, wherein the particlegrowth step is performed after discharging a part of a liquid portion ofthe aqueous solution for particle growth after the nucleation step. 18:The method for producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles according to claim 3, wherein the particle growth step isperformed after discharging a part of a liquid portion of the aqueoussolution for particle growth after the nucleation step. 19: The methodfor producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particlesaccording to claim 2, wherein a temperature of each aqueous solution ismaintained at 20° C. or more in the nucleation step and the particlegrowth step. 20: The method for producing nickel cobalt manganesecomposite hydroxide particles according to claim 3, wherein atemperature of each aqueous solution is maintained at 20° C. or more inthe nucleation step and the particle growth step. 21: The method forproducing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particlesaccording to claim 4, wherein a temperature of each aqueous solution ismaintained at 20° C. or more in the nucleation step and the particlegrowth step. 22: The method for producing nickel cobalt manganesecomposite hydroxide particles according to claim 2, wherein an ammoniaconcentration of each aqueous solution is maintained within a range of 3to 25 g/l in the nucleation step and the particle growth step. 23: Themethod for producing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxideparticles according to claim 3, wherein an ammonia concentration of eachaqueous solution is maintained within a range of 3 to 25 g/l in thenucleation step and the particle growth step. 24: The method forproducing nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxide particlesaccording to claim 4, wherein an ammonia concentration of each aqueoussolution is maintained within a range of 3 to 25 g/l in the nucleationstep and the particle growth step. 25: The method for producing nickelcobalt manganese composite hydroxide particles according to claim 5,wherein an ammonia concentration of each aqueous solution is maintainedwithin a range of 3 to 25 g/l in the nucleation step and the particlegrowth step. 26: The method for producing nickel cobalt manganesecomposite hydroxide particles according to claim 2, wherein a nickelcobalt manganese composite hydroxide obtained in the particle growthstep is covered with a compound including at least one of the additionalelements. 27: The method for producing nickel cobalt manganese compositehydroxide particles according to claim 3, wherein a nickel cobaltmanganese composite hydroxide obtained in the particle growth step iscovered with a compound including at least one of the additionalelements. 28: The method for producing nickel cobalt manganese compositehydroxide particles according to claim 4, wherein a nickel cobaltmanganese composite hydroxide obtained in the particle growth step iscovered with a compound including at least one of the additionalelements. 29: The method for producing nickel cobalt manganese compositehydroxide particles according to claim 5, wherein a nickel cobaltmanganese composite hydroxide obtained in the particle growth step iscovered with a compound including at least one of the additionalelements.